gms | German Medical Science

Introduction: Simvastatin (Sim) is approved as lipid-controlling drug in patients with cardiovascular risk to reduce hypercholesterolemia by inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase. However, recent publications suggest that Sim exerts an impact on tumor development and hence might possibly be useful in Head and Neck cancer treatment.

Methods: To study the influence of Sim on tumor growth in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), biopsies of HNSCC were exposed in the FLAVINO-assay to Sim in concentrations of 5, 1.5, 0.5, and 0.15 µM either alone or in binary combination with Cisplatin (Cis) and Docetaxel (DTX). Colonies of epithelial cells formed within 3 days were stained by Cy2-labeled anti-cytokeratin-antibodies (aCK Cy2) and counted using fluorescence microscopes.

Results: Sim suppressed formation of aCK-Cy2 positive colonies in 18 of 18 evaluable HNSCC (100%). The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of Sim was calculated 1.6 µM (SD ±0.3 µM). Moreover, Sim also increased inhibition of colony formation by Cis and DTX.

Conclusion: This exploratory analysis demonstrated a suppressive effect of Sim on tumor growth, particularly on colony formation of HNSCC ex vivo. Since the FLAVINO-assay indicates increased inhibitory effects of Cis and DTX in presence of Sim, our investigations raise a rational to investigate the impact of a co-medication with statins on HNSCC. The latter should be analyzed in epidemiological and clinical studies to clarify the potential usefulness of statins in future pharmacological treatment regimens in HNSCC.